Methods for covalent linking of optical reporters

ABSTRACT

A method to link a light emitting reporter to biomolecules with nucleotide oligomers is described. The light reporter particles are silylated and functionalized to produce a coated light reporter particle, prior to covalently linking the biomolecules to the light reporter particle. The light reporter particle generated by the methods of the invention can be excited by a light excitation source such as UV or IR light, and when the biomolecule is DNA, the attached DNA molecule(s) are detectable by amplification techniques such as PCR.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 11/437,265 having a filing date of May 19, 2006 that is related to provisional patent application 60/682,976 filed on May 20, 2005; this application is also a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 10/825,968 having a filing date of Apr. 15, 2004 that is related to provisional patent application 60/463,215 filed on Apr. 16, 2003; this application is also related to provisional patent application 60/874,425 having a filing date of Dec. 12, 2006; this application is also related to provisional patent application 60/877,875 having a filing date of Dec. 29, 2006; this application is also related to provisional patent application 60/877,869 having a filing date of Dec. 29, 2006; each of the patent applications being hereby incorporated by reference including co-pending patent application Ser. Nos. 11/954,030, 11/954,051, 11/954,038, 11/954,055 and 11/954,044 filed Dec. 11, 2007.

FIELD

This invention pertains to methods for linking optical reporters, and more specifically linking up-converting phosphors (UCP) to nucleic acids of detectable sequence.

BACKGROUND

Optical reporters such as fluorescent dyes and upconverting phosphors have been used vigorously to detect the presence of biomolecules such as proteins and DNA molecules. Up-converting phosphor particles (UCP) have been encapsulated in transparent polyacrylate micro-carriers which can form covalent bonds with protein sensors via functional groups as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,132,242. Silylation techniques have also been utilized for binding antibodies to UCPs. Biotin/avidin binding has been utilized to detect biotinylated deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by UCP particles comprising avidin molecules on their surfaces. Hapten/digoxigenin sandwich technology has also been used to indirectly detect the presence of DNA with modified UCP particles.

Heretofore, the covalent binding of UCP particles to DNA molecules of detectable sequence has not been known. Such particles would be useful for labeling and identification of articles and materials and as probes for characterizing DNA. There is accordingly a need for methods for producing compounds comprising an up-converting phosphor linked to a sequencable DNA molecule. The present invention satisfies these needs as well as others.

SUMMARY

This invention relates primarily to the process of covalently linking biomolecules to visual or machine detectable reporters. Reporters can be easily detected by using a high energy light source for excitation, and the location of labeled biomolecules is identified by the presence of a reporter. Nevertheless, after the location of biomolecules, there is often a need to analyze biomolecules further by PCR or sequence analysis.

In one embodiment, the methods comprise introducing a plurality of reactive functional groups onto the optical reporter and covalently bonding the nucleic acid oligomers to the reactive functional groups.

In many embodiments the optical reporter has a surface that is reactive to silylating agents.

Methods of the invention may further comprise introducing or treating the optical reporter with a mixture of

wherein:

each R is C₁₋₆alkyl and may be the same or different at each occurrence;

R¹— is C₂₋₈alkylene; and

X— is: —O—; —S—; or —NR^(b), wherein R^(b) is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl; to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—XH covalently bound to the surface of the optical reporter.

In some embodiments the introducing further comprises, treating the optical reporter with a linking agent of the formula

wherein s is 1 or 2;

-   to form a plurality of groups of the formula     —O—R¹—X—C(O)—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—C(O)—OH     covalently bound to the surface of the optical reporter.

In certain embodiments, the covalently bonding of the nucleic acid oligomers to the reactive functional groups comprises treating the optical reporter with an activating agent to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—C(O)—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—C(O)—Ag, covalently bound to the surface of the optical reporter, wherein Ag is an activating group;

In certain embodiments the introducing further comprises treating the optical reporter with a functionalized nucleic acid oligomer reagent of the formula HR^(a)N—R³-DNA wherein R³ is C₂₋₈alkylene, Ra is hydrogen or and DNA is a deoxyribonucleic acid, to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—C(O)—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—C(O)—NR^(a)—R³-DNA covalently bound to the surface of the optical reporter.

In other embodiments, the introducing further comprises, treating the optical reporter with an alpha haloacetic acid such as iodoacetic acid to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—CH₂—C(O)—OH covalently bound to the optical reporter.

In some embodiments, the covalently bonding the nucleic acid oligomers to the reactive functional groups comprises, treating the optical reporter with an activating agent to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—C(O)—CH₂—C(O)—Ag covalently bound to the surface of the optical reporter; and treating the optical reporter with a functionalized nucleic acid oligomer reagent of the formula HR^(a)N—R³-DNA wherein R³ is C₂₋₈alkylene, to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—C(O)—CH₂—C(O)—NR^(a)—R³-DNA.

The invention also provides methods for synthesizing compositions comprising a composition of formula I further comprising a biological moiety covalently linked thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an FTIR Spectrum of a silinated coated optical reporter particle in accordance of the methods of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a plot of a real-time PCR results for a composition, comprising an optical reporter linked to a sequenceable DNA molecule, prepared by one embodiment of the methods of the invention.

DESCRIPTION Definitions

Unless otherwise stated, the following terms used in this Application, including the specification and claims, have the definitions given below. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

“Agonist” refers to a compound that enhances the activity of another compound or receptor site.

“Alkyl” means the monovalent linear or branched saturated hydrocarbon moiety, consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, having from one to twelve carbon atoms. “Lower alkyl” refers to an alkyl group of one to six carbon atoms, i.e. C₁-C₆alkyl. Examples of alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, n-hexyl, octyl, dodecyl, and the like.

“Alkenyl” means a linear monovalent hydrocarbon radical of two to six carbon atoms or a branched monovalent hydrocarbon radical of three to six carbon atoms, containing at least one double bond, e.g., ethenyl, propenyl, and the like.

“Alkynyl” means a linear monovalent hydrocarbon radical of two to six carbon atoms or a branched monovalent hydrocarbon radical of three to six carbon atoms, containing at least one triple bond, e.g., ethynyl, propynyl, and the like.

“Alkylene” means a linear saturated divalent hydrocarbon radical of one to six carbon atoms or a branched saturated divalent hydrocarbon radical of three to six carbon atoms, e.g., methylene, ethylene, 2,2-dimethylethylene, propylene, 2-methylpropylene, butylene, pentylene, and the like.

“Alkoxy” and “alkyloxy”, which may be used interchangeably, mean a moiety of the formula—OR, wherein R is an alkyl moiety as defined herein. Examples of alkoxy moieties include, but are not limited to, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, and the like.

“Alkoxyalkyl” means a moiety of the formula R^(a)—O—R^(b)—, where R^(a) is alkyl and R^(b) is alkylene as defined herein. Exemplary alkoxyalkyl groups include, by way of example, 2-methoxyethyl, 3-methoxypropyl, 1-methyl-2-methoxyethyl, 1-(2-methoxyethyl)-3-methoxypropyl, and 1-(2-methoxyethyl)-3-methoxypropyl.

“Alkylcarbonyl” means a moiety of the formula —R′—R″, where R′ is oxo and R″ is alkyl as defined herein.

“Alkylsulfonyl” means a moiety of the formula —R′—R″, where R′ is —SO₂— and R″ is alkyl as defined herein.

“Alkylsulfonylalkyl” means a moiety of the formula —R′—R″R″″ where R′ is alkylene, R″ is —SO₂— and R″″ is alkyl as defined herein.

“Alkylamino” means a moiety of the formula —NR—R′ wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl and R′ is alkyl as defined herein.

“Alkoxyamino” means a moiety of the formula —NR—OR′ wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl and R′ is alkyl as defined herein.

“Alkylsulfanyl” means a moiety of the formula —SR wherein R is alkyl as defined herein.

“Aminoalkyl” means a group —R—R′ wherein R′ is amino and R is alkylene as defined herein. “Aminoalkyl” includes aminomethyl, aminoethyl, 1-aminopropyl, 2-aminopropyl, and the like. The amino moiety of “aminoalkyl” may be substituted once or twice with alkyl to provide “alkylaminoalkyl” and “dialkylaminoalkyl” respectively. “Alkylaminoalkyl” includes methylaminomethyl, methylaminoethyl, methylaminopropyl, ethylaminoethyl and the like. “Dialkylaminoalkyl” includes dimethylaminomethyl, dimethylaminoethyl, dimethylaminopropyl, N-methyl-N-ethylaminoethyl, and the like.

“Aminoalkoxy” means a group —OR—R′ wherein R′ is amino and R is alkylene as defined herein.

“Alkylsulfonylamido” means a moiety of the formula —NR′SO₂—R wherein R is alkyl and R′ is hydrogen or alkyl.

“Aminocarbonyloxyalkyl” or “carbamylalkyl” means a group of the formula —R—O—C(O)NR′R″ wherein R is alkylene and R′, R″ each independently is hydrogen or alkyl as defined herein.

“Antagonist” refers to a compound that diminishes or prevents the action of another compound or receptor site.

“Aryl” means a monovalent cyclic aromatic hydrocarbon moiety consisting of a mono-, bi- or tricyclic aromatic ring. The aryl group can be optionally substituted as defined herein. Examples of aryl moieties include, but are not limited to, phenyl, naphthyl, phenanthryl, fluorenyl, indenyl, pentalenyl, azulenyl, oxydiphenyl, biphenyl, methylenediphenyl, aminodiphenyl, diphenylsulfidyl, diphenylsulfonyl, diphenylisopropylidenyl, benzodioxanyl, benzofuranyl, benzodioxylyl, benzopyranyl, benzoxazinyl, benzoxazinonyl, benzopiperadinyl, benzopiperazinyl, benzopyrrolidinyl, benzomorpholinyl, methylenedioxyphenyl, ethylenedioxyphenyl, and the like, including partially hydrogenated derivatives thereof, each being optionally substituted.

“Arylalkyl” and “Aralkyl”, which may be used interchangeably, mean a radical-R^(a)R^(b) where R^(a) is an alkylene group and R^(b) is an aryl group as defined herein; e.g., phenylalkyls such as benzyl, phenylethyl, 3-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-methylpentyl, and the like are examples of arylalkyl.

“Arylsulfonyl means a group of the formula —SO₂—R wherein R is aryl as defined herein.

“Aryloxy” means a group of the formula —O—R wherein R is aryl as defined herein.

“Cyanoalkyl” means a moiety of the formula —R′—R″, where R′ is alkylene as defined herein and R″ is cyano or nitrile.

“Cycloalkyl” means a monovalent saturated carbocyclic moiety consisting of mono- or bicyclic rings. Cycloalkyl can optionally be substituted with one or more substituents, wherein each substituent is independently hydroxy, alkyl, alkoxy, halo, haloalkyl, amino, monoalkylamino, or dialkylamino, unless otherwise specifically indicated. Examples of cycloalkyl moieties include, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, and the like, including partially unsaturated derivatives thereof.

“Cycloalkylalkyl” means a moiety of the formula —R′—R″, where R′ is alkylene and R″ is cycloalkyl as defined herein.

“Heteroalkyl” means an alkyl radical as defined herein wherein one, two or three hydrogen atoms have been replaced with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of —OR^(a), —NR^(b)R^(c), and —S(O)_(n)R^(d) (where n is an integer from 0 to 2), with the understanding that the point of attachment of the heteroalkyl radical is through a carbon atom, wherein R^(a) is hydrogen, acyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl; R^(b) and R^(c) are independently of each other hydrogen, acyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl; and when n is 0, R^(d) is hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl, and when n is 1 or 2, R^(d) is alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, amino, acylamino, monoalkylamino, or dialkylamino. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, 2-hydroxyethyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 2-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethylethyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 1-hydroxymethylethyl, 3-hydroxybutyl, 2,3-dihydroxybutyl, 2-hydroxy-1-methylpropyl, 2-aminoethyl, 3-aminopropyl, 2-methylsulfonylethyl, aminosulfonylmethyl, aminosulfonylethyl, aminosulfonylpropyl, methylaminosulfonylmethyl, methylaminosulfonylethyl, methylaminosulfonylpropyl, and the like.

“Heteroaryl” means a monocyclic or bicyclic radical of 5 to 12 ring atoms having at least one aromatic ring containing one, two, or three ring heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S, the remaining ring atoms being C, with the understanding that the attachment point of the heteroaryl radical will be on an aromatic ring. The heteroaryl ring may be optionally substituted as defined herein. Examples of heteroaryl moieties include, but are not limited to, optionally substituted imidazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyrazinyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, pyranyl, pyridyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrimidyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, benzofuryl, benzothiophenyl, benzothiopyranyl, benzimidazolyl, benzooxazolyl, benzooxad iazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzothiadiazolyl, benzopyranyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, triazolyl, triazinyl, quinoxalinyl, purinyl, quinazolinyl, quinolizinyl, naphthyridinyl, pteridinyl, carbazolyl, azepinyl, diazepinyl, acridinyl and the like, including partially hydrogenated derivatives thereof, each optionally substituted.

“Heteroarylalkyl” or “heteroaralkyl” means a group of the formula —R—R′ wherein R is alkylene and R′ is heteroaryl as defined herein.

“Heteroarylsulfonyl means a group of the formula —SO₂—R wherein R is heteroaryl as defined herein.

“Heteroaryloxy” means a group of the formula —O—R wherein R is heteroaryl as defined herein.

“Heteroaralkyloxy” means a group of the formula —O—R—R″ wherein R is alkylene and R′ is heteroaryl as defined herein.

The terms “halo”, “halogen” and “halide”, which may be used interchangeably, refer to a substituent fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo.

“Haloalkyl” means alkyl as defined herein in which one or more hydrogen has been replaced with same or different halogen. Exemplary haloalkyls include —CH₂Cl, —CH₂CF₃, —CH₂CCl₃, perfluoroalkyl (e.g., —CF₃), and the like.

“Haloalkoxy” means a moiety of the formula —OR, wherein R is a haloalkyl moiety as defined herein. An exemplary haloalkoxy is difluoromethoxy.

“Heterocycloamino” means a saturated ring wherein at least one ring atom is N, NH or N-alkyl and the remaining ring atoms form an alkylene group.

“Heterocyclyl” means a monovalent saturated moiety, consisting of one to three rings, incorporating one, two, or three or four heteroatoms (chosen from nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur). The heterocyclyl ring may be optionally substituted as defined herein. Examples of heterocyclyl moieties include, but are not limited to, optionally substituted piperidinyl, piperazinyl, homopiperazinyl, azepinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, oxazolidinyl, isoxazolidinyl, morpholinyl, thiazolidinyl, isothiazolidinyl, quinuclidinyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, benzimidazolyl, thiadiazolylidinyl, benzothiazolidinyl, benzoazolylidinyl, dihydrofuryl, tetrahydrofuryl, dihydropyranyl, tetrahydropyranyl, thiamorpholinyl, thiamorpholinylsulfoxide, thiamorpholinylsulfone, dihydroquinolinyl, dihydrisoquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, tetrahydrisoquinolinyl, and the like.

“Heterocyclylalkyl” means a moiety of the formula —R—R′ wherein R is alkylene and R′ is heterocyclyl as defined herein.

“Heterocyclyloxy” means a moiety of the formula —OR wherein R is heterocyclyl as defined herein.

“Heterocyclylalkoxy” means a moiety of the formula —OR—R′ wherein R is alkylene and R′ is heterocyclyl as defined herein.

“Hydroxyalkoxy” means a moiety of the formula —OR wherein R is hydroxyalkyl as defined herein.

“Hydroxyalkylamino” means a moiety of the formula —NR—R′ wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl and R′ is hydroxyalkyl as defined herein.

“Hydroxyalkylaminoalkyl” means a moiety of the formula —R—NR′—R″ wherein R is alkylene, R′ is hydrogen or alkyl, and R″ is hydroxyalkyl as defined herein.

“Hydroxycarbonylalkyl” or “carboxyalkyl” means a group of the formula —R—(CO)—OH where R is alkylene as defined herein.

“Hydroxyalkyloxycarbonylalkyl” or “hydroxyalkoxycarbonylalkyl” means a group of the formula —R—C(O)—O—R—OH wherein each R is alkylene and may be the same or different.

“Hydroxyalkyl” means an alkyl moiety as defined herein, substituted with one or more, preferably one, two or three hydroxy groups, provided that the same carbon atom does not carry more than one hydroxy group. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, hydroxymethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 1-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpropyl, 2-hydroxybutyl, 3-hydroxybutyl, 4-hydroxybutyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 2-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethylethyl, 2,3-dihydroxybutyl, 3,4-dihydroxybutyl and 2-(hydroxymethyl)-3-hydroxypropyl

“Hydroxycycloalkyl” means a cycloalkyl moiety as defined herein wherein one, two or three hydrogen atoms in the cycloalkyl radical have been replaced with a hydroxy substituent. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, 2-, 3-, or 4-hydroxycyclohexyl, and the like.

“Urea” or means a group of the formula —NR′—C(O)—NR″R″″ wherein R′, R″ and R″″ each independently is hydrogen or alkyl.

“Carbamate” means a group of the formula —O—C(O)—NR′R″ wherein R′ and R″ each independently is hydrogen or alkyl.

“Carboxy” means a group of the formula —O—C(O)—OH.

“Sulfonamido” means a group of the formula —SO₂—NR′R″ wherein R′, R″ and R″″ each independently is hydrogen or alkyl.

“Optionally substituted”, when used in association with “aryl”, phenyl”, “heteroaryl” “cycloalkyl” or “heterocyclyl”, means an aryl, phenyl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl which is optionally substituted independently with one to four substituents, preferably one or two substituents selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, alkoxy, amino, acylamino, mono-alkylamino, di-alkylamino, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, heteroalkyl, —COR, —SO₂R (where R is hydrogen, alkyl, phenyl or phenylalkyl), —(CR′R″)_(n)—COOR (where n is an integer from 0 to 5, R′ and R″ are independently hydrogen or alkyl, and R is hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, phenyl or phenylalkyl), or —(CR′R″)_(n)—CONR^(a)R^(b) (where n is an integer from 0 to 5, R′ and R″ are independently hydrogen or alkyl, and R^(a) and R^(b) are, independently of each other, hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, phenyl or phenylalkyl).

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may but need not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances in which it does not.

“Inert organic solvent” or “inert solvent” means the solvent is inert under the conditions of the reaction being described in conjunction therewith, including for example, benzene, toluene, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, N,N-dimethylformamide, chloroform, methylene chloride or dichloromethane, dichloroethane, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, acetone, methyl ethylketone, methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, tert-butanol, dioxane, pyridine, and the like. Unless specified to the contrary, the solvents used in the reactions of the present invention are inert solvents.

“Solvates” means solvent additions forms that contain either stoichiometric or non stoichiometric amounts of solvent. Some compounds have a tendency to trap a fixed molar ratio of solvent molecules in the crystalline solid state, thus forming a solvate. If the solvent is water the solvate formed is a hydrate, when the solvent is alcohol, the solvate formed is an alcoholate. Hydrates are formed by the combination of one or more molecules of water with one of the substances in which the water retains its molecular state as H₂O, such combination being able to form one or more hydrate.

The terms “those defined above” and “those defined herein” when referring to a variable incorporates by reference the broad definition of the variable as well as preferred, more preferred and most preferred definitions, if any.

The term “emitting reporter” means a chemical substituent or material that produces, under appropriate excitation conditions, a detectable optical signal. The optical signal produced by an emitting reporter is typically electromagnetic radiation in the near-infrared, visible, or ultraviolet portions of the spectrum. The emitting reporters of the invention are generally up-converting reporters, but can also be for example, fluorescent and colorimetric substituents.

The term “phosphor particle” means a particle or composition comprising at least one type of upconverting phosphor material.

The term “primer” means a nucleotide with a specific nucleotide sequence which is sufficiently complimentary to a particular sequence of a target DNA molecule, such that the primer specifically hybridizes to the target DNA molecule.

The term “probe” refers to a binding component which binds preferentially to one or more targets (e.g., antigenic epitopes, polynucleotide sequences, macromolecular receptors) with an affinity sufficient to permit discrimination of labeled probe bound to target from nonspecifically bound labeled probe (i.e., background).

The term “probe polynucleotide” means a polynucleotide that specifically hybridizes to a predetermined target polynucleotide.

The term “oligomer” refers to a chemical entity that contains a plurality of monomers. As used herein, the terms “oligomer” and “polymer” are used interchangeably. Examples of oligomers and polymers include polydeoxyribonucleotides (DNA), polyribonucleotides (RNA), other polynucleotides which are C-glycosides of a purine or pyrimidine base, polypeptides (proteins), polysaccharides (starches, or polysugars), and other chemical entities that contain repeating units of like chemical structure.

The term “PCR” refers to polymerase chain reaction. This refers to any technology where a nucleotide is amplified via a temperature cycling techniques in the presence of a nucleotide polymerase, preferably a DNA polymerase. This includes but is not limited to real-time pcr technology, reverse transcriptase-pcr, and standard PCR methods.

The term “nucleic acid” means a polymer composed of nucleotides, e.g. deoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides, or compounds produced synthetically which can hybridize with naturally occurring nucleic acids in a sequence specific manner analogous to that of two naturally occurring nucleic acids, e.g., can participate in hybridization reactions, i.e., cooperative interactions through Pi electrons stacking and hydrogen bonds, such as Watson-Crick base pairing interactions, Wobble interactions, etc.

The terms “ribonucleic acid” and “RNA” as used herein mean a polymer composed of ribonucleotides.

The terms “deoxyribonucleic acid” and “DNA” as used herein mean a polymer composed of deoxyribonucleotides.

The term “polynucleotide” or “nucleotide” refer to single or double stranded polymer composed of nucleotide monomers of generally greater than 50 nucleotides in length.

The term “monomer” as used herein refers to a chemical entity that can be covalently linked to one or more other such entities to form an oligomer. Examples of “monomers” include nucleotides, amino acids, saccharides, peptides, and the like. The term nucleotide means

The term “linker” means a compound or a composition which covalently links a biomolecule to the surface of a coated emitting reporter. For example, but not limited to a silyinated coated upconverting phosphor particle linked to a DNA molecule.

The term “identifiable sequence” or “detectable sequence” means a nucleotide sequence which can by detected by hybridization and/or PCR technology by a primer or probe designed for specific interaction with the target nucleotide sequence to be identified. The interaction of the target nucleotide sequence with the specific probe or primer can be detected by optical and/or visual means to determine the presence of the target nucleotide sequence.

Nomenclature and Structures

In general, the nomenclature used in this Application is based on AUTONOM™ v.4.0, a Beilstein Institute computerized system for the generation of IUPAC systematic nomenclature. Chemical structures shown herein were prepared using ISIS® version 2.5. Any open valency appearing on a carbon, oxygen sulfur or nitrogen atom in the structures herein indicates the presence of a hydrogen atom unless indicated otherwise. Where a chiral center exists in a structure but no specific stereochemistry is shown for the chiral center, both enantiomers associated with the chiral center are encompassed by the structure. Where a structure shown herein may exist in multiple tautomeric forms, all such tautomers are encompassed by the structure.

METHODS OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides methods to link a light emitting reporter to a biomolecule, more specifically nucleotides. The light reporter is silylated and functionalized before linking with a nucleotide/oligomer. The light reporter is to be excited by light excitation source such as UV or IR light, and the nucleotide attached to the phosphor particle can be detected by standard nucleotide detection techniques, such as PCR.

The methods comprise, in general terms, covalently linking nucleic acid oligomer or oligomers of detectable sequence to a coated optical reporter particle. The methods may additionally comprise determining or verifying the sequence of the nucleic acid oligomer(s) covalently bound to the coated optical reporter particle.

In many embodiments the methods comprise introducing a plurality of reactive functional groups onto the coated optical reporter particle, and covalently bonding the nucleic acid oligomers to the reactive functional groups. In such embodiments the methods of the invention provide compounds or compositions of formula I (cOpR)-[L-(NA)]_(m)  I wherein:

-   -   m is an integer greater than 1;     -   (cOpR) is a coated optical reporter particle;     -   (NA) is a nucleic acid oligomer of detectable sequence; and     -   L is a linking group covalently bound to the coated optical         reporter particle and to the nucleic acid oligomer,

Thus, in certain embodiments the methods for preparing compounds of formula I may comprise:

-   -   introducing a plurality of reactive functional groups onto the         surface of a coated optical reporter (cOpR);     -   covalently binding linking groups L to the surface of coated         optical reporter (cOpR); and     -   covalently binding nucleic acids (NA) to linkers L.

In other embodiments the methods may comprise:

introducing a plurality of reactive functional groups onto the surface of a coated optical reporter (cOpR);

covalently binding linking groups L to nucleic acids (NA)s to form reactive groups L-(NA); and

reacting the groups L-(NA) with the reactive groups on the surface of coated optical reporter (cOpR) to covalently bind groups L-(NA) to the surface of coated optical reporter (cOpR).

In still other embodiments, as described further below, the group L may be formed or introduced in portions during the covalent attachment of nucleic acid group (NA) to coated optical reporter (cOpR).

While formula I specifically relates to linking nucleic acid oligomers or nucleotides to the surface of the coated optical reporter particle, it should be understood to those skilled in the art that other biomolecules besides nucleotides can be covalently linked to L. Such biomolecules include but are not limited to peptides, proteins, antibodies, enzymes, DNA binding proteins and the like. These biomolecules, maybe modified to include lipids, carbohydrates, fluorescent and/or upconverting phosphor molecules or other detectable compounds or markers.

In many embodiments, NA is a DNA oligomer. The DNA oligomer maybe either single stranded DNA or double stranded DNA. In certain embodiments NA maybe comprise cDNA, RNA, STR (single tandem repeat) or SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism). NA oligomers of the compositions of the invention may also be modified to comprise at least one dUTP nucleic acid or at least one nucleic acid within the oligomer which has been modified to contain a detectable marker.

In many embodiments NA is a DNA oligomer having a length of between about 40 base pairs and about 1000 base pairs (per strand).

In other embodiments the DNA has a length of between about 80 and 500 base pairs (per strand).

In yet other embodiments the DNA has a length of between about 100 to about 250 base pairs (per strand).

The DNA used with the invention maybe natural or synthetically produced. All or a portion of the DNA may comprise an identifiable sequence.

In certain embodiments of formula I, the coated optical reporter comprises a visible or infrared detectable light emitting material selected from the group consisting of a fluorescent dye, an upconverting phosphor, a ceramic powder, or a quantum dot material. In most embodiments where the cOpR comprises a visible or infrared detectable light emitting material, the light emitting materials are excitable by UV, visible or an infrared light source.

In certain embodiments, rare earth-doped ceramic particles are used as phosphor particles. Phosphor particles may be detected by any suitable method, including but not limited to up-converting phosphor technology (UPT), in which up-converting phosphors transfer lower energy infrared (IR) radiation into higher-energy visible light. Although an understanding of the mechanism is not necessary to practice the present invention and the present invention is not limited to any particular mechanism of action, in some embodiments the UPT up-converts infrared light to visible light by multi-photon absorption and subsequent emission of dopant-dependant phosphorescence (See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,399,397; van De Rijke, et al., Nature Biotechnol. 19(3):273-6 (2001); Corstjens, et al., IEE Proc. Nanobiotechnol. 152(2):64 (2005), each incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

In many embodiments, the phosphor nanoparticles may be of the formula A (Y_(x)RE¹ _(y),RE² _(z))₂O₃  A wherein:

RE¹ and RE² each is a different rare earth element;

x is from about 0.6 to about 0.95;

y is from 0 to about 0.35; and

z is from 0 0.1 to about 0.001;

provided that y and z are not simultaneously equal to 0.

The rare earth elements RE¹ and RE² may each independently be selected from Ytterbium, Erbium, Holmium, Thulium, or Terbium.

In many embodiments RE¹ is Ytterbium.

In many embodiments RE² is Erbium.

The up-converting particles utilized in the methods of the invention may be spherical, non-agglomerated, non-porous particles with an average size of 40-60 nm. In general, particle sizes may range from about 10 nm to about 5 um in size. Such up-converting phosphor nanopowders such as doped yttrium oxide and yttrium oxysulfide are commercially available and may be obtained from such as Nanocerox, Inc., of Ann Arbor, Mich.

Suitable examples of up-converting phosphors are compounds of rare earths or elements from the group IIIB such as: Na-yttrium fluoride, lanthanum fluoride, lanthanum oxysulphide, yttrium oxysulphide, yttrium fluoride, yttrium gallate, gadolinium fluoride, barium-yttrium fluorides, gadolinium oxysulphide as well as compounds of the above type doped with activator pairs such as ytterbium/erbium, ytterbium/thulium or ytterbium/holmium. Other suitable up-converting phosphors include chelate compounds of erbium, neodymium, thulium, holmium and praseodymium.

The following compositions are merely illustrative of some of the up-converting phosphor containing compositions that can be synthesized by the synthetic reaction schemes of the methods of the present invention. Various modifications to these synthetic reaction schemes can be made and will be suggested to one skilled in the art having referred to the disclosure herein.

TABLE I Upconverting Phosphor Compositions Phosphor Material Absorber Ion Emitter Ion Oxysulfides (O₂S) Y₂O₂S Ytterbium Erbium Gd₂O₂S Ytterbium Erbium La₂O₂S Ytterbium Holmium Oxyhalides (OX_(y)) YOF Ytterbium Thulium Y₃OCl₇ Ytterbium Terbium Fluorides (F_(x)) YF₃ Ytterbium GdF₃ Ytterbium Erbium LaF₃ Ytterbium Erbium NaYF₃ Ytterbium Holmium BaYF₅ Ytterbium Thulium BaY₂F₈ Ytterbium Thulium Gallates (Ga_(x)O_(y)) YGaO₃ Ytterbium Erbium Y₃Ga₅O₁₂ Ytterbium Erbium Silicates (Si_(x)O_(y)) YSi₂O₅ Ytterbium Holmium YSi₃O₇ Ytterbium Thulium

In certain embodiments the coated optical reporter or coated optical reporter particle utilized in the methods of the invention, may also comprise at least one electromagnetic emitting material. An electromagnetic emitting material as part of the composition, allows for the composition to be detected by various methods and devices. Where the electromagnetic emitting material is detectable by mechanical devices which provide at least one source selected from the group consisting of an infrared radiation source, magnetic field source or electromagnetic pulse. This electromagnetic emitting material may be in conjunction with at least one light emitting material, such as an upconverting phosphor.

When the methods of the invention utilize UCPs, the upconverting phosphor material/particle in certain embodiments have the formula B Y_(x)Yb_(y)Er_(z)O₂S  B wherein:

x is from about 0.6 to about 0.95;

y is from about 0.05 to about 0.35; and

z is from about 0.1 to about 0.001.

In other embodiments, the upconverting phosphor particle may be of the formula C: Na(Y_(x)Yb_(y)Er_(z))F₄  C wherein

x is from about 0.6 to about 0.95

y is from about 0.05 to about 0.35; and

z is from about 0.1 to about 0.001.

In certain embodiments of formula I, L comprises an alkylene moiety having a first end covalently bound to the coated optical reporter particle (cOpR) and a second end covalently bound to the nucleic acid oligomer (NA).

In many embodiments of formula I, the linker L is of the formula D: -A-R¹—B—  D wherein:

R¹ is C₂₋₈alkylene;

-A- is a group covalently bonded to the surface of the coated optical reporter; and

—B— is a group covalently bonded to the 3′ or 5′ end of the nudeic acid oligomer.

In certain embodiments of formula D —R¹— is —(CH₂)_(n)— and n is from 2 to 8.

In certain embodiments of formula D, —B— is: —S—; —O—; —NR^(a)—; —S—(CH₂)_(p)—; —O—(CH₂)_(p)—; —NR^(a)—(CH₂)_(p)—; —S—(CH₂)_(q)—C(O)—NR^(a)—(CH₂)_(p)—; —O—(CH₂)_(q)—C(O)—NR^(a)—(CH₂)_(p)—; —NR^(a)—(CH₂)_(q)—C(O)—NR^(a)—(CH₂)_(p)—; —S—C(O)—(CH₂)—C(O)—NR^(a)—(CH₂)_(p)—; —O—C(O)—(CH₂)_(r)—C(O)—NR^(a)—(CH₂)_(p); or —NR^(a)—C(O)—(CH₂)_(r)C(O)—NR^(a)—(CH₂)_(p)—; wherein:

-   -   p is from 2 to 8;     -   q is from 1 to 8;     -   r is from 2 to 8; and     -   each R^(a) is independently hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl.

In certain embodiments of formula D, —B— is: S—(CH₂)_(q)—C(O)—NR^(a)—(CH₂)_(p) or —NR^(a)—C(O)—(CH₂)_(r)C(O)—NR^(a)—(CH₂)_(p)—; wherein:

p is from 2 to 8;

q is from 1 to 8;

r is from 2 to 8; and

each R^(a) is independently hydrogen or a C₁₋₆alkyl.

In other embodiments of formula D, —B— is: —S—(CH₂)_(q)—C(O)—NR^(a)—(CH₂)_(p) or —NR^(a)—C(O)—(CH₂)_(r)—C(O)—NR^(a)—(CH₂)_(p)—; wherein:

p is from 2 to 6;

q is from 1 to 3; and

r is 2 or 3.

In other embodiments of formula D, —B— is —S—CH₂—C(O)—NH—(CH₂)₆— or —NH—C(O)—(CH₂)₃—C(O)—NH—(CH₂)₆—.

In certain embodiments of formula D, -A- is —O—, —S—, NR^(c) wherein R^(c) is hydrogen or lower alkyl, —O—C(O)— or —NR^(c)—C(O)—. Preferably A is —O—.

In many embodiments of formula I, the coated optical reporter (cOpR) is coated with silica. Usually when the coated optical reporter comprises a coating of silica, the silica comprises at least one Si—O bond.

The value of m in formula I will vary according to the surface area of the coated optical reporter and the number of functional groups on the optical reporter surface cable of bonding to -L-. The value of m is always greater than one, and usually greater than 10. Preferably m is greater than 100, and in many embodiments m is greater than 10³. In many embodiments m may be, for example, between about 10 and about 10⁹. In certain embodiments m may be from about 100 to about 10⁸. In some embodiments m may be from about 10³ to about 10⁷.

In certain embodiments the invention provides method for preparing compounds or compositions of the formula II: (UCP)-[O—R¹—X—R²—C(O)—NR^(a)R³(DNA)]_(m)  II wherein:

m is an integer greater than 1;

UCP is an upconverting phosphor particle;

DNA is a single or double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid oligomer;

Ra is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl;

R¹ is C₂₋₈alkylene,

R² is C₁₋₈alkylene or —C(O)—C₁₋₈alkylene-;

—X— is —O—, —S— or —NR^(b)— wherein R^(b) is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl;

R³ is C₂₋₈alkylene; and

m, UCP and DNA are as defined herein.

The methods of such embodiments will be more fully understood by first referring to Scheme A below, wherein Y is a leaving group, R is lower alkyl and may be the same or different on each occurrence Rd is hydrogen or lower alkyl, AA is an activating agent, Ag is an activating group, and m, R¹, R², R³ and R^(a) are as defined herein.

In step 1 of Scheme A, UCP particles a are treated or reacted with a mixture of alkoxysilicate reagents b and c, to form a functionalized UCP particles d. In many embodiments R may be ethyl, such that reagent a is tetraethyl orthosilicate. The ratio of reagents b and c may be varied to vary the value m. Also, the ratio of a to both b and c is also important in varying the value of m.

In certain embodiments R¹ may be —(CH₂)₃— and —XH may be —SH or —NR^(b)H wherein R^(b) is hydrogen or lower alkyl.

In step 2, functionalized particles d are reacted with compound e to afford carboxylate ester-functionalized UCPs f. Y may be halo, mesyl, tosyl, or other suitable leaving group. In certain embodiments wherein R² is —C(O)—C₁₋₈alkylene-, reagent e may be replaced with a cyclic anhydride such as succinic anhydride, glutaric anhydride, oxetane 2,3-dione, or like anhydride.

The functionalized UCPs f are activated in step 3 by treating UCPs f with an activating agent AA to form activated functionalized UCPs g. The activating agent in many embodiments may be N-hydroxy-succinimide or N-bromo-succinimide such that the group OR in particles f is replaced by a succimido activating group Ag. Other possible activating groups include but are not limited to Nitrophenyl ester.

In step 4 the activated functionalized particles are reacted with DNA reagent h to undergo an amide coupling reaction and form DNA-labeled UCPs i. The DNA reagent h may comprise, for example, a single stranded DNA oligomer of known sequence having an aminoalkyl group at the 3′ or 5′ end that is capable of amide coupling with the activated carboxy functional groups on particles h. Various amide coupling techniques may thus be used in step 4, including carbodiimide-based amide couplings. The UCPs i produced in step 4 are a composition of formula I and formula II in accordance with the invention.

In step 5, which can be utilized to characterize the product produced by the methods of the invention, purified and isolated UCPs i from step 4 are subject to DNA sequencing, via PCR or other sequencing technique, to identify or verify the DNA introduced in step 4 to the UCPs.

Many variations on the procedure of Scheme A will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and such variations are considered to be within the scope of the invention. Specific examples of the procedure of Scheme A are provided in the experimental examples below.

Accordingly, the invention provides a method for linking nucleic acid oligomers of detectable sequence to an optical reporter, the method comprising introducing a plurality of reactive functional groups onto the UCP optical reporter a, and covalently bonding the DNA nucleic acid oligomers to the reactive functional groups. The UCPs a have a surface reactive to silylating agents b and c. Silylating agents c has reactive groups —XH ultimately allow DNA to be covalently bound to the UCPs a.

Thus, in the embodiment shown in Scheme A, the introducing comprises:

-   -   treating the optical reporter a with a mixture of silylating         reagents of formulas b and c:

wherein R, R¹ and X are as defined herein, to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—XH covalently bound to the surface of the optical reporter d.

The introducing further comprises:

treating the functionalized optical reporter d with a linking agent of the formula e: Y—R²—C(O)—OR^(e)  e; wherein Y, R^(d) and R² are as defined herein, to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—R²—C(O)—OR^(d) covalently bound to the surface of the optical reporter f.

The introducing may further comprise:

treating the ester-functionalized optical reporter f with an activating agent AA to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—R²—C(O)—Ag; wherein Ag is an activating group covalently bound to the surface of the optical reporter g.

The covalently bonding of the nucleic acid oligomers to the reactive functional groups comprises:

treating the activated optical reporter g with a nucleic acid oligomer reagent of the formula h HR^(a)N—R³-DNA  h; wherein R³ is C₂₋₈alkylene to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—R²C(O)—NR^(a)—R³-DNA covalently bound to the surface of the optical reporter i.

In certain embodiments wherein no activating group is used, the covalent bonding of the nucleic acid oligomers to the reactive functional groups comprises:

treating the optical reporter f with a nucleic acid oligomer reagent of the formula h HR^(a)N—R³-DNA  h; wherein R³ is C₂₋₈alkylene to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—R²—C(o)—NR^(a)—R³-DNA covalently bound to the surface of the optical reporter i.

The method may further comprise determining the nucleic acid sequence of the DNA covalently bound to the UCP i.

In certain embodiments the introducing comprises:

reacting the functionalized optical reporters d with a linking agent of the formula i

wherein s is 1 or 2; to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—C(O)—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—C(O)—OH covalently bound to the optical reporter f. Thus, in such embodiments the reagent i is used as the reagent e of Scheme A, and R² is —C(O)—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—. In certain embodiments s is 1.

In certain embodiments the introducing comprises:

reacting the functionalized optical reporters d with an alpha haloacetic acid such as iodoacetic acid

to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—CH₂—C(O)—OH covalently bound to the optical reporter f. Thus, in such embodiments iodoacetic acid is used as the reagent e of Scheme A, with iodo acting as the leaving group Y, and R² being methylene (—CH₂—).

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for preparing DNA labeled-optical reporters of formula i (UCP)-[O—R¹—X—R²—C(O)—NR^(a)—R³-DNA]  m wherein m, UCP, R¹, R², R³ and R^(a) are as defined herein, the method comprising:

reacting activated optical reporters of formula g (UCP)-[O—R¹—X—R²—C(O)—Ag]_(m)  g; wherein Ag is as defined herein, with a nucleic acid oligomer reagent of the formula h HR^(a)N—R³-DNA  h to form the DNA labeled-optical reporters of formula i.

The method may further comprise:

reacting ester functionalized optical reporters f (UCP)-[O—R¹—X—R²—C(O)—OR^(d)]_(m)  f; wherein R^(d) is as defined herein, with an activating agent AA, to form the activated optical reporters g.

The method may further comprise:

reacting functionalized optical reporters of formula d: (UCP)-[O—R¹—X—H]_(m)  d; with a reagent of formula e Y—R²—C(O)—OR^(d)  e; wherein Y is as defined herein, to form the functionalized optical reporters f.

The method may further comprise:

reacting optical reporters a:

with silylating agents b and c

to form the functionalized optical reporters d.

In certain embodiments of the invention, R¹ is C₂₋₆alkylene.

In certain embodiments of the invention, R² is C₁₋₆alkylene.

In certain embodiments of the invention, R³ is C₂₋₆alkylene.

In certain embodiments of the invention, R² is —C(O)—C₂₋₆alkylene-.

In certain embodiments of the invention, R¹ is —(CH₂)_(t)— wherein n is from 2 to 6. In some embodiments t is 3.

In certain embodiments of the invention, R² is —(CH₂)_(u)— wherein q is from 1 to 6. In some embodiments u is 1.

In certain embodiments of the invention, R² is —C(O)—(CH₂)_(v)— wherein r is from 1 to 6. In some embodiments v is 2 or 3, preferably 2.

In certain embodiments of the invention, R³ is —(CH₂)_(w)— wherein w is from 2 to 6. In some embodiments w is 6.

In certain embodiments of the invention, R is methyl or ethyl. In preferred embodiments, R in formulas b and c is ethyl.

In certain embodiments of the invention, R^(a) is hydrogen.

In certain embodiments of the invention, R^(a) is C₁₋₆alkyl, preferably methyl.

In certain embodiments of the invention, Y is halo.

In certain embodiments of the invention, activating agent AA is N-hydroxy-succinimide.

In certain embodiments of the invention, activating group Ag is succinimidyl.

Synthesis

Nucleotide-labeled optical reporters in accordance with the invention can be made by a variety of methods, including those depicted in the illustrative synthetic reaction schemes shown and described below.

Reagents and solvents used in preparing these compounds generally are either available from commercial suppliers, such as Aldrich Chemical Co., or are prepared by methods known to those skilled in the art following procedures set forth in references such as Fieser and Fieser's Reagents for Organic Synthesis; Wiley & Sons: N.Y., 1991, Volumes 1-15; Rodd's Chemistry of Carbon Compounds, Elsevier Science Publishers, 1989, Volumes 1-5 and Supplementals; and Organic Reactions, Wiley & Sons: N.Y., 1991, Volumes 1-40.

The starting materials and some of the intermediates of the synthetic reaction schemes can be isolated and purified if desired using conventional techniques, including but not limited to, filtration, distillation, crystallization, chromatography, and the like.

Unless specified to the contrary, the reactions described herein preferably are conducted under an inert atmosphere at atmospheric pressure at a reaction temperature range of from about −78° C. to about 150° C., more preferably from about 0° C. to about 125° C., and most preferably and conveniently at about room (or ambient) temperature, e.g., about 20° C.

Utility

The methods of the invention are useful in producing compounds comprising biomolecules such as dsDNA, ssDNA, STR, SNP's as well a peptides and proteins.

The compounds of the invention are usable as authentication markers for various articles. For example, the compounds of the invention can be placed in or on such articles as clothing, paintings, documents, medicines, industrial solutions, computer components, explosives and the like. The compounds produced can also be utilized in micro array technology, as well as protein expression, genomic identification and other technologies utilizing DNA hybridization techniques.

EXAMPLES

The following preparations and examples are given to enable those skilled in the art to more clearly understand and to practice the present invention. They should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, but merely as being illustrative and representative thereof.

Unless otherwise stated, all temperatures including melting points (i.e., MP) are in degrees Celsius (° C.). It should be appreciated that the reaction which produces the indicated and/or the desired product may not necessarily result directly from the combination of two reagents which were initially added, i.e., there may be one or more intermediates which are produced in the mixture which ultimately leads to the formation of the indicated and/or the desired product. The following abbreviations may be used in the Preparations and Examples.

Up-converting phosphor nanopowder (doped yttrium oxide and yttrium oxysulfide upconverting particles) were obtained from Nanocerox, Inc., Ann Arbor, Mich.

ABBREVIATIONS

UCP Up converting phosphor

UTP Up converting phosphor technology

OpR optical reporter particle

cOpR coated optical reporter particle

TEOS tetraethoxysilane, tetraethyl orthosilicate; ethyl silicate; silicic acid, tetraethyl ester; silicon ethoxide

MOS methyl oxysilane

EOS ethyl oxysilane

POS propyl oxysiline

NHS N-Hydroxsuccinimde

IOA lodoacetamide

DIPCI Diisopropylcarbodiimide

DBU 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene

DCM dichloromethane/methylene chloride

DIPEA diisopropyl ethylamine

DME 1,2-dimethoxyethane (glyme)

DMF N,N-dimethylformamide

DMAP 4-dimethylaminopyridine

ECDI 1-ethyl-3-(3′-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide

EtOAc ethyl acetate

EtOH ethanol

GC Gas Chromatography

HMPA hexamethylphosphoramide

HOBt N-Hydroxybenzotriazole

hplc high performance liquid chromatography

mCPBA m-chloroperbenzoic acid

MeCN acetonitrile

NMP N-methyl pyrrolidinone

TEA triethylamine

THF tetrahydrofuran

LDA lithium diisopropylamine

TLC thin layer chromatography

Example 1 Doped Yttrium Oxysulfide with Oxypropylsulfanylacetamide-Linked DNA

The synthetic procedure of this Example is shown below in Scheme B.

The method utilized in this example generally involved initially coating the upconverting phosphor particles with tetraethyl orthosilicate with ammonium hydroxide present as a catalyst followed by hydrolysis with thiotriethoxysilane.¹ The coated particles were then treated with iodoacetic acid under basic conditions. The particles now modified with carboxylic acid groups were activated using N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) and diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIPCI). Subsequently after activation, amino C₆ DNA was added to the mixture, for DNA attachment to the phosphor coated particles. The particles were isolated and washed extensively with copious amounts of water removing unreacted amino C₆ DNA and other reagents. The isolated phosphor particles were then evaluated by PCR to determine the detectable presence of the covalently attached DNA bound to the coated nanophosphor particles.

General

Doped yttrium oxide and yttrium oxysulfide upconverting particles were from Nanocerex (Ann Arbor, Mich.). Tetraethoxysilane was 99+% and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane was 99% both from Aldrich. 3-Mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane was 95% from Gelest and was lot #3C-2709. N-Hydroxsuccinimde, glutaric anhydride and iodoacetic acid were from Aldrich. The 5′ C6 amino modified DNA was a 180-mer with a molecular weight of 55,867 and was obtained from Integrated DNA Technologies. In general, the 5′ amino modified DNA molecule is produced by modifying the 5′ end of the last sugar molecule of the DNA chain via an OH and ultimately forms an ether linkage forming [sugar]-O—(CH₂)₆—NH₂. The concentration of the modified DNA was approximately 1 nM. The 5′ amino linker portion of the modified DNA can range from two carbons to about 18 carbons in length. 2-Propanol was HPLC grade from Aldrich or Fisher. The ultrasonic cleaning bath was a Heat Systems-Ultrasonics.

Particles were isolated by centrifuging using screw capped 50 mL polypropylene Falcon tubes and an ICE Model HN-S benchtop centrifuge.

Step 1 MercaptoPropyl Functionalized Silylated Yttrium Oxysulfide Particles

Yttrium oxysulfide upconverting particles (100 mg) were suspended in 100 mL of de-aerated 2-propanol and sonicated under nitrogen for 75 min. De-aerated water (7.5 mL) was added and sonication continued for 5 min. Concentrated ammonium hydroxide (9 mL) was added and sonication continued a final 10 min. The milky white suspension was placed in an oil bath at 40±2° and stirred magnetically under nitrogen for 10 min. Tetraethoxysilane (0.3 mL) was added the mixture stirred for 2 hr. 3-Mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane (0.3 mL) was added and stirring continued for 2.5 hr. The particles were isolated by centrifuging and washed with 30 mL of 2-propanol. They were then washed with 20 mL of 5% acetic acid in 2-propanol and finally with 20 mL of 2-propanol. The particles were dried under vacuum (1.0 mm) at room temperature overnight.

Step 2 Reaction of Thiol Functionalized Yttrium Oxysulfide Particles with Iodoacetic Acid

Iodoacetic acid (50 mg, 0.27 mmol) was dissolved in 20 mL of 0.2M aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The pH of the solution was about 8.4 (narrow range pH paper). The thiol functionalized particles (˜100 mg) from step 1 were added and the mixture sonicated in the dark under nitrogen for 10 hr. An additional 50 mg of iodoacetic acid was added and sonication continued overnight. During this time the bath temperature rose to 400. The particles were isolated by centrifuging and washed with 10 mL of water. They were then sonicated with 10 mL of 10% aqueous acetic acid. The particles were isolated by centrifuging, washed with 10 mL of water and vacuum dried overnight. The particles were examined by transmission FTIR (KBr disk). There was a strong Si—O absorption at 1100 cm⁻¹.

Step 3 Activation of the Carboxy Yttrium Oxysulfide Particles with N-Hydroxysuccinimide

The carboxy yttrium oxysulfide particles from step 2 (˜100 mg) were suspended in 10 mL of 2-propanol and sonicated for 90 min. N-Hydroxysuccinimide (58 mg, 0.5 mmol) was added and sonication continued for 5 min. The suspension was transferred to a 20 mL scintillation vial and diisopropylcarbodiimide (80 uL, 0.5 mmol) added with stirring. The mixture was stirred at room temperature (25°) overnight (15 hr). The particles were isolated by centrifuging then washed by centrifuging with 10 mL of 2-propanol and then twice with 5 mL of the same solvent. They were finally dried in vacuum at room temperature for about 5 min and used immediately in the next step for reaction with DNA.

Step 4 Treatment of the Activated Particles with Amino Modified DNA

The activated yttrium oxysulfide particles from step 3 (˜50 mg) were suspended in 5 mL of 50 mM borate buffer (pH 8.45) using a Vortex mixer. The amino functionalized long chain DNA (2 nmole) in 50 uL of water was added and the mixture was stirred magnetically at room temperature for 24 hr. The particles were isolated by centrifuging and washed with 5 mL of the borate buffer and then with twice with 5 mL of water. They were suspended in 2 mL of water and stored at 5°.

Example 1 Alternate Procedure Step 1 Mercatopropyl Functionalized Silvlated Yttrium Oxide Particles

Yttrium oxide upconverting particles (100 mg) were suspended in 100 mL of de-aerated 2-propanol and sonicated under nitrogen for 90 min. De-aerated water (7.5 mL) was added and sonication continued for 5 min. Concentrated ammonium hydroxide (9 mL) was added and sonication continued a final 10 min. The milky white suspension was placed in an oil bath at 40±2° and stirred magnetically under nitrogen for 10 min. Tetraethoxysilane (0.3 mL) was added and the mixture stirred for 2 hr. 3-Mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane (0.3 mL) was added and stirring continued for 2.5 hr. The particles were isolated by centrifuging and washed with 40 mL of 2-propanol. They were then washed with 20 mL of 5% acetic acid in 2-propanol and finally with 20 mL of 2-propanol. The particles were dried under vacuum (1.0 mm) at room temperature (200 overnight.

Step 2 Reaction of Thiol Functionalized Yttrium Oxide Particles with Iodoacetic Acid

The thiol functionalized yttrium oxide particles from step 2 (˜90 mg) were suspended in 20 mL of 0.2M de-aerated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and the mixture sonicated in the dark under nitrogen for 15 min. The particles were transferred to a flask and iodoacetic acid (50 mg, 0.27 mmol) was added. The suspension was stirred magnetically at 40±2° under nitrogen for 5 hr. An additional 50 mg of iodoacetic acid was added and stirring continued overnight (14 hr). The particles were isolated by centrifuging and washed with 10 mL of water. They were then sonicated with 10 mL of 10% aqueous acetic acid for 10 min. The particles were isolated by centrifuging, washed with 10 mL of water and vacuum dried overnight. The particles were examined by transmission FTIR (KBr disk). There was a strong Si—O absorption at 1100 cm⁻¹.

Step 3 Activation of the Carboxy Yttrium Oxide Particles with N-Hydroxysuccinimide

The carboxy yttrium oxide particles of step 2 (˜80 mg) were suspended in 10 mL of 2-propanol and sonicated for 60 min. N-Hydroxysuccinimide (58 mg, 0.5 mmol) was added and sonication continued for 10 min. The suspension was transferred to a 20 mL scintillation vial and diisopropylcarbodiimide (80 uL, 0.5 mmol) added with stirring. The mixture was stirred at room temperature (˜25°) overnight (18 hr). The particles were isolated by centrifuging then washed by centrifuging with 10 mL of 2-propanol and then with 2×5 mL of the same solvent. They were finally dried in vacuum at room temperature for about 5 min and used immediately in the next step for reaction with DNA.

Step 4 Treatment of the Activated Yttrium Oxide Particles with Amino Modified DNA

The activated particles from step 3 (˜80 mg) were suspended in 10 mL of 50 mM borate buffer (pH 8.45) using a Vortex mixer. The amino functionalized long chain DNA (1 nmole) in 50 uL of water was added and the mixture and stirred magnetically at room temperature for 22 hr. The DNA linker in this example was 6 carbons long, and the single stranded DNA oligomer comprised 180 bases. The particles were isolated by centrifuging and washed with 10 mL of the borate buffer and then with twice with 10 mL of water. They were suspended in 2 mL of water and stored at 5°.

Example 2 Doped Yttrium Oxysulfide with (Oxy-Propylamino)-Acetic Acid 5-amino-4-oxo-pentyl ester-linked DNA

The synthetic procedure of this example is shown below in Scheme C.

The method utilized in this example generally involved initially coating the upconverting phosphor particles with tetraethyl orthosilicate with ammonium hydroxide present as a catalyst followed by hydrolysis with thiotriethoxysilane. The coated particles were then treated with iodoacetic acid under basic conditions. The particles now modified with carboxylic acid groups were activated using N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) and diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIPCI). Subsequently after activation, amino C₆ DNA was added to the mixture, for DNA attachment to the phosphor coated particles. The particles were isolated and washed extensively with copious amounts of water removing unreacted amino C₆ DNA and other reagents. The isolated phosphor particles were then evaluated by PCR to determine the detectable presence of the covalently attached DNA bound to the coated nanophosphor particles.

Step 1 Aminopronyl Functionalized Silylated Yttrium Oxysulfide Particles

Yttrium oxysulfide upconverting particles (100 mg) were suspended in 100 mL of de-aerated 2-propanol and sonicated under nitrogen for 75 min. De-aerated water (7.5 mL) was added and sonication continued for 10 min. Concentrated ammonium hydroxide (9 mL) was added and sonication continued a final 10 min. The milky white suspension was placed in an oil bath at 40±2° and stirred magnetically under nitrogen for 10 min. Tetraethoxysilane (0.3 mL) was added and the mixture stirred for 2 hr. 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (0.3 mL) was added and stirring continued for 2.7 hr. The particles were isolated by centrifuging and washed three times with 20 mL of 2-propanol. The particles were dried under vacuum (1.0 mm) at room temperature (30°) overnight. Analysis by transmission FTIR (KBr disk) showed a strong Si—O absorption at 1100 cm⁻¹. FIG. 1 is an FTIR spectrum of yttrium oxysulfide upconverting particles after treatment of with TEOS for 2 hours, followed by 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane for 12 hours. FIG. 1 shows the strong absorption of the Si—O bond at 1100 cm⁻¹, demonstrated the silination of the UCP particles.

Step 2 Reaction of the Amino Functionalized Yttrium Oxysulfide Particles with Glutaric Anhydride

Glutaric anhydride (0.34 g, 3.0 mmol) was dissolved in 13 mL of 2-propanol (minimum volume needed at room temperature (30°)). The solution was added to the amino functionalized yttrium oxysulfide particles (90 mg) and the mixture sonicated for an hour at 30-35°. The suspension was transferred to a flask and stirred magnetically at 40° for 24 hr. The particles were isolated by centrifuging and washed three times with 10 mL of 2-propanol then dried under vacuum at room temperature (26°) overnight.

Step 3 Activation of the Carboxy Yttrium Oxysulfide Particles with N-Hydroxysuccinimide

The previous carboxy yttrium oxysulfide particles (˜80 mg) were suspended in 10 mL of 2-propanol and sonicated for 60 min. N-Hydroxysuccinimide (58 mg, 0.5 mmol) was added and sonication continued for 5 min. The suspension was transferred to a 20 mL scintillation vial and diisopropylcarbodiimide (80 uL, 0.5 mmol) added with stirring. The mixture was stirred at room temperature (˜23°) overnight (21 hr). The particles were isolated by centrifuging then washed by centrifuging with 10 mL of 2-propanol and then twice with 5 mL of the same solvent. They were finally dried in vacuum at room temperature for about 5 min and used immediately in the next step for reaction with DNA.

Step 4 Treatment of the Activated Yttrium Oxysulfide Particles with Amino Modified DNA

The activated particles (˜80 mg) were suspended in 10 mL of 50 mM borate buffer (pH 8.45) using a Vortex mixer. The amino functionalized long chain DNA (1 nmole) in 50 uL of water was added and the mixture sonicated for a few minutes. The DNA linker in this example was 6 carbons long, and the single stranded DNA oligomer comprised 180 bases. It was transferred to a 20 mL scintillation vial and stirred magnetically at room temperature (22°) for 20 hr. The particles were isolated by centrifuging and washed with 10 mL of the borate buffer and then three times with 10 mL of water. They were suspended in 2.5 mL of water and stored at 5°.

Example 3

This example demonstrates that the compositions produced by the methods of the inventions, particularly those methods in which nucleotides are linked to a phosphor, that the nucleotide attached to the composition can be detected directly by techniques such as PCR. The phosphor compound utilized in this example was Yttrium oxysulfide as well as an amine linked DNA oligomer.

Detection of Bound DNA to Phosphor Particles by Real-Time-PCR.

The equipment and supplies utilized for RT-PCR were the following. PCR capillary system (20 ul capillary) by Roche Diagnostics, LightCycler 2 by Roche Diagnostics, SYBR Green ReadyMix RT-PCR kit by Sigma-Aldrich and SYBR Green JumpStart Tag mix by Sigma.

The following primers were specifically designed for amplification of the DNA oligomer attached to the phosphor particles produced by the methods of the invention. Primer 1-(5′-CGCCAGGGT TTTCCCAGTCACGAC-3′) and Primer 2 (5′-CAGGAAACAGCTATGAC-3′). The final concentration of the primers for RT-PCR amplification was 0.05 uM in the RT-PCR rxn sample. The size of the amplicon generated during RT-PCR with this primer pair was approximately 150 bp in length.

The RT-PCR run conditions were as follows. One pre-heating cycle of 95° C. for 5 minutes, followed by 40 cycles of 20 seconds at 95° C., 40 seconds at the annealing temperature of 50° C., with polymerase extension at 72° C. for 20 seconds.

The isolated phosphor particles containing DNA molecules were resuspended and diluted 1/10, 1/100, and 1/1000, respectively for RT-PCR analysis. Each RT-PCR sample contained 15 ul of RT-PCR master mix 0.5 ul of each Primer stock solution, 1 ul of a specified diluted phosphor containing DNA sample, and 13 ul water were mixed and put into 20 ul capillary tubes. Positive and Negative controls were also prepared. Duplicates of all RT-PCR samples were prepared and analyzed.

The results from the RT-PCR experiment are shown in FIG. 2. The results in FIG. 2 show that the 1/100 dilution sample had a Ct of 30, while the 1/10 and 1/1000 dilution had a Ct of 33 and Ct of 36, respectively. At the 1/10 dilution the concentration of the UCP particles is high enough to quench the PCR signal, thus delaying the cycle in which amplification of the target DNA is present.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the specific embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, process, process step or steps, to the objective spirit and scope of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims appended hereto. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for linking nucleic acid oligomers of detectable sequence to an optical reporter particle, the method comprising: introducing by covalent bonding, a plurality of reactive functional groups onto the optical reporter, said optical reporter being an up-converting phosphor containing particle; and covalently bonding the nucleic acid oligomers to the reactive functional groups.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining at least a partial sequence of the nucleic acid oligomers covalently bound to the optical reporter.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the optical reporter has a surface that is reactive to silylating agents.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the introducing comprises: treating the optical reporter with a mixture of

wherein: each R is C₁₋₆alkyl and may be the same or different at each occurrence; R¹— is C₂₋₈alkylene; and X— is: —O—; —S—; or —NR^(b)—, wherein R^(b) is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl; to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—XH covalently bound to the surface of the optical reporter.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the introducing further comprises: treating the optical reporter with a linking agent of the formula Y—R²—C(O)—OR^(d) wherein: Y is a leaving group; R² is C₁₋₈alkylene; and R^(d) is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl; to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—R²—C(O)—OR^(d) covalently bound to the surface of the optical reporter.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the covalently bonding the nucleic acid oligomers to the reactive functional groups comprises: treating the optical reporter with a functionalized nucleic acid oligomer reagent of the formula HR^(a)N—R³-DNA wherein: R³ is C₂₋₈alkylene; and R^(a) is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl; to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—R²—C(O)—NR^(a)—R³-DNA covalently bound to the surface of the optical reporter.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the covalently bonding the nucleic acid oligomers to the reactive functional groups comprises: treating the optical reporter with an activating agent to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—R²—C(O)—Ag covalently bound to the surface of the optical reporter, wherein Ag is an activating group; and treating the optical reporter with a functionalized nucleic acid oligomer reagent of the formula HR^(a)N—R³-DNA wherein R³ is C₂₋₈alkylene; to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—R²—C(O)—NR^(a)—R³-DNA covalently bound to the surface of the optical reporter.
 8. The method of claim 4, wherein R¹ is —(CH₂)_(t)— and wherein t is from 2 to
 6. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein t is
 3. 10. The method of claim 5, wherein R² is —C(O)—C₂₋₆alkylene-.
 11. The method of claim 5, wherein R² is —(CH₂)_(u)— wherein u is from 1 to
 6. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein u is
 1. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein R² is —C(O)—(CH₂)_(u)— wherein u is from 1 to
 6. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein u is
 2. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein u is
 3. 16. The method of claim 5, wherein R is methyl or ethyl.
 17. The method of claim 7, wherein R^(a) is hydrogen.
 18. The method of claim 7, wherein R³ is —(CH₂)_(w)— wherein w is from 2 to
 6. 19. The method of claim 7, wherein w is
 6. 20. The method of claim 4, wherein the introducing further comprises: treating the optical reporter with a linking agent of the formula

wherein s is 1 or 2; to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R²—X—C(O)—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—C(O)—OH covalently bound to the surface of the optical reporter.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the covalently bonding the nucleic acid oligomers to the reactive functional groups comprises: treating the optical reporter with an activating agent to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—C(O)—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—C(O)—Ag covalently bound to the surface of the optical reporter, wherein Ag is an activating group; and treating the optical reporter with a functionalized nucleic acid oligomer reagent of the formula HR^(a)N—R³-DNA wherein R³ is C₂₋₈alkylene; to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—C(O)—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—C(O)—NR^(a)—R³-DNA.
 22. The method of claim 4, wherein the introducing further comprises: treating the optical reporter with an alpha haloacetic acid to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—CH₂—C(O)—OH covalently bound to the optical reporter.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the covalently bonding the nucleic acid oligomers to the reactive functional groups comprises: treating the optical reporter with an activating agent to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—C(O)—CH₂—C(O)—Ag covalently bound to the surface of the optical reporter, wherein Ag is an activating group; and treating the optical reporter with a functionalized nucleic acid oligomer reagent of the formula HR^(a)N—R³-DNA wherein R³ is C₂₋₈alkylene; to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—C(O)—CH₂—C(O)—NR^(a)—R³-DNA
 24. A method for preparing DNA labeled-optical reporters of formula i (UCP)-[O—R¹—X—R²—C(O)—NR^(a)—R³-DNA]_(m)  i wherein: m is an integer greater than 1; X— is: —O—; —S—; or —NR^(b)—, wherein R^(b) is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl; each R^(a) is C₁₋₆alkyl and may be the same or different at each occurrence; R¹— is C₂₋₈alkylene; R² is C₁₋₈alkylene; R³ is C₂₋₈alkylene; and UCP is an up-converting phosphor particle the method comprising: reacting activated optical reporters of formula g. (UCP)-[O—R¹—X—R²—C(O)—Ag]_(m)  g; wherein Ag is an activating group, with a nucleic acid oligomer reagent of the formula h; HR^(a)N—R³-DNA  h to form the DNA labeled-optical reporters of formula i.
 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising: reacting ester-functionalized optical reporters of formula f; (UCP)-[O—R¹—X—R²—C(O)—OR^(d)]_(m)  f; wherein R^(d) is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl, with an activating agent, to form the activated optical reporters of formula g.
 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising: reacting functionalized optical reporters of formula d: (UCP)—[O—R¹—X—H]_(m)  d; with a reagent of formula e Y—R²—C(O)—OR^(d)  e; wherein Y is a leaving group to form the functionalized optical reporters f.
 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising: reacting optical reporters a: UCP  a with silylating agents b and c

wherein each R is C₁₋₆alkyl and may be the same or different at each occurrence to form the functionalized optical reporters d.
 28. The method of claim 7, wherein the optical reporter is an upconverting phosphor.
 29. The method of claim 5, wherein Y is halo, R² is methylene, and R^(d) is hydrogen.
 30. A method for linking nucleic acid oligomers of detectable sequence to an optical reporter particle, the method comprising: introducing by covalent bonding, a plurality of reactive functional groups onto the optical reporter, said optical reporter being an up-converting phosphor containing particle, said up-converting phosphor containing particle having a surface that is reactive to silylating agents, treating the up-converting phosphor containing particle with a mixture of

wherein: each R is C₁₋₆alkyl and may be the same or different at each occurrence; R¹— is C₂₋₈alkylene; and X— is: —O—; —S—; or —NR^(b)—, wherein R^(b) is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl; to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—XH covalently bound to the surface of the optical reporter, treating the optical reporter with a linking agent of the formula Y—R²—C(O)—OR^(d) wherein: Y is a leaving group; R² is C₁₋₈alkylene; and R^(d) is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl; to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—R²—C(O)—OR^(d) covalently bound to the surface of the optical reporter, covalently bonding the nucleic acid oligomers to the reactive functional groups covalently bound to the upconverting phosphor containing particle; and determining at least a partial sequence of the nucleic acid oligomers covalently bound to the optical reporter.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the covalently bonding the nucleic acid oligomers to the reactive functional groups comprises: treating the optical reporter with a functionalized nucleic acid oligomer reagent of the formula HR^(a)N—R³-DNA wherein: R³ is C₂₋₈alkylene; and R^(a) is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl; to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—R²—C(O)—NR^(a)—R³-DNA covalently bound to the surface of the optical reporter.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the covalently bonding the nucleic acid oligomers to the reactive functional groups comprises: treating the optical reporter with an activating agent to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—R²—C(O)—Ag covalently bound to the surface of the optical reporter, wherein Ag is an activating group; and treating the optical reporter with a functionalized nucleic acid oligomer reagent of the formula HR^(a)N—R³-DNA wherein R³ is C₂₋₈alkylene; to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—R²—C(O)—NR^(a)—R³-DNA covalently bound to the surface of the optical reporter.
 33. The method of claim 30, wherein R¹ is —(CH₂)_(t)— and wherein t is from 2 to
 6. 34. The method of claim 33, wherein t is
 3. 35. The method of claim 30, wherein R² is —C(O)—C₂₋₆alkylene-.
 36. The method of claim 30, wherein R² is —(CH₂)_(u)— wherein u is from 1 to
 6. 37. The method of claim 36, wherein u is
 1. 38. The method of claim 35, wherein R² is —C(O)—(CH₂)_(u)— wherein u is from 1 to
 6. 39. The method of claim 38, wherein u is
 2. 40. The method of claim 38, wherein u is
 3. 41. The method of claim 30, wherein R is methyl or ethyl.
 42. The method of claim 32, wherein R^(a) is hydrogen.
 43. The method of claim 32, wherein R³ is —(CH₂)_(w)— wherein w is from 2 to
 6. 44. The method of claim 32, wherein w is
 6. 45. The method of claim 30, wherein the introducing further comprises: treating the optical reporter with an alpha haloacetic acid to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—CH₂—C(O)—OH covalently bound to the optical reporter.
 46. The method of claim 45, wherein the covalently bonding the nucleic acid oligomers to the reactive functional groups comprises: treating the optical reporter with an activating agent to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—C(O)—CH₂—C(O)—Ag covalently bound to the surface of the optical reporter, wherein Ag is an activating group; and treating the optical reporter with a functionalized nucleic acid oligomer reagent of the formula HR^(a)N—R³-DNA wherein R³ is C₂₋₈alkylene; to form a plurality of groups of the formula —O—R¹—X—C(O)—CH₂—C(O)—NR^(a)—R³-DNA
 47. The method of claim 32, wherein the optical reporter is an upconverting phosphor.
 48. The method of claim 30, wherein Y is halo, R² is methylene, and R^(d) is hydrogen.
 49. The composition of claim 30, wherein the nucleic acid oligomer is double stranded DNA.
 50. The composition of claim 30, wherein the nucleic acid oligomer is a DNA molecule having a length of between about 40 base pairs and about 1000 base pairs. 